Police beat and community briefs for March 12, 2014

Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 8:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 8:37 p.m.

Police beat

Man accepts plea in child porn case

A man arrested last spring on child pornography charges has agreed to serve five years in prison instead of taking the case to trial.

Samuel Lynn Irvin, 62, of Summerfield, pleaded guilty in February as part of a plea bargain to two felony counts of transmitting child pornography by electronic device and 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography.

Circuit Judge Robert Hodges sentenced Irvin to 22 concurrent five-year prison sentences for each count and awarded him 10 days credit for time served in jail pending resolution of the case.

Marion County sheriff’s investigators arrested Irvin in April 2013 after a tip led them to lawfully search his computer. Authorities found 95 pornographic images sent from the defendant’s company email address, of which several showed underage girls engaged in various sexual activity.

Ocala motorcyclist remains in hospital

An Ocala motorcyclist seriously injured in an accident over the weekend remains hospitalized from her injuries.

On Sunday, Clarke was driving a Harley-Davidson Sportster east on U.S 27 as a Ford F-150, which was headed west on the highway, was making a left to go south on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, according to Ocala police.

Officers said the motorcycle struck the rear of the truck. Clarke was thrown from the bike. She was take to ORMC by ambulance in critical condition. Officials said she was wearing her helmet at the time of the crash.

Man accused of speeding, DUI

A man who witnesses said Monday was speeding and almost caused multiple accidents on U.S. 27 was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of cocaine and not having a valid driver’s license.

The witnesses told a dispatcher that a red Chevy traveling in the 10000 block of U.S. 27 was going about 80 mph and nearly caused several accidents, including almost sideswiping their vehicle.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jesse Terrell saw the Chevy driving erratically and stopped the car in the 5700 block of North U.S. 27. The driver, German Vazquez, 30, “reeked of alcohol,” Terrell’s report noted.

Vazquez told the deputy he had consumed approximately six beers. He refused to perform a field sobriety exercise. During a search of Vazquez’ person, the deputy found cocaine in his wallet.

Vazquez had an identification card from Mexico, but did not have a driver’s license. Vazquez was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he registered .282, .305 and .293 on blood alcohol tests. The state’s legal limit is .08.

Man killed was on his way to church

Florida Highway Patrol officials said Tuesday that a 91-year-old man who died Monday evening after he inadvertently drove into the path of a Marion County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was headed to a church function.

James Barzey’s wife on Tuesday told troopers her husband intended to drive across Southeast Maricamp Road, to go south on Pine Road, on his way to an event at church.

Troopers said Barzey pulled into the path of the unmarked MCSO sport utility vehicle and his 1993 Dodge Spirit was hit on the driver’s side. The SUV, occupied by two deputies working undercover, crashed into a concrete telephone pole. The Dodge hit the driver’s side of a 2004 Acura driven by Carlos Fuentes, 47. Fuentes, of Silver Springs Shores, was not injured.

The deputies were taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released. Barzey was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Police charge man with molestation

An Ocala man was charged Tuesday with lewd and lascivious molestation.

The girl, now 14, was interviewed at Kimberly’s Cottage for Child Protection late last month and told an official that Donald S. Horton had touched her inappropriately several times over two years, the last in December 2013.

On Friday, Ocala Police Department Detective Mat Steckman interviewed Horton, who said the girl would lie on his lap and he would rub her back and legs. He denied touching her otherwise.

On Tuesday, Steckman arrested Horton, 34, at the police department and he was taken to the Marion County Jail.

Man accused of assault with stick

A man who reportedly tried to enter a residence and threatened a man with a stick was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Ocala Police Department Officer Joseph Marcum stated in his report that he went to the 600 block of Southeast 24th Street and met with Scott Jason William, who said he was driving to a gas station around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday with a friend when he saw a man in a yard threatening a man with a large stick.

William said he heard people yelling for help so he drove into the front yard and saw the man — later identified as Gary Ray Higgins — trying to hit the other man with the stick.

William said Higgins was struck in the face by the man and was knocked on the ground. William said when he approached, Higgins tried to hit him with the stick. He said he placed Higgins in a headlock, disarmed him and he and his friend removed him from the yard.

The man who decked Higgins told the officer he saw a bicycle in the yard and when he went to the side of the house, Higgins was attempting to enter his mother’s residence. He said he told Higgins to stop and that’s when Higgins tried to hit him with the stick.

Higgins, who the officer said appeared intoxicated, claimed he was looking for a friend and was knocking on the door. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail. He told police he is homeless.

COMMUNITY

Students’ art on display at Appleton

Students at four Marion County schools recently worked alongside artists with disabilities to create beautiful works of art that are on display at the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

The Appleton partnered with Very Special Arts Florida to bring the “Hand ’n Hand” program to Intellectually Disabled Gifted classes at Maplewood Elementary, Fort King Middle and Forest High. The voluntary pre-kindergarten class at Ward-Highlands Elementary had the opportunity to experience the VSA pre-literacy program “Start with the Arts.”

The Appleton Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays, and it is closed Mondays. Daily admission is $6 for adults; $4 for seniors 55 or older and students 19 and older; $3 for youths ages 10-18; and free for members, CF students, children age 9 and younger, and active military personnel.

The Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park is planning a short program to acknowledge the 51st anniversary of the Vietnam War. March 30th will be recognized as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”

More than 58,000 service members, including more than 1,900 from Florida, made the ultimate sacrifice during this war. There are still 1,654 who remain missing in action. Those interested in participating can call 671-8422.

<p>Police beat</p><p><strong>Man accepts plea in child porn case</strong></p><p>A man arrested last spring on child pornography charges has agreed to serve five years in prison instead of taking the case to trial.</p><p>Samuel Lynn Irvin, 62, of Summerfield, pleaded guilty in February as part of a plea bargain to two felony counts of transmitting child pornography by electronic device and 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography.</p><p>Circuit Judge Robert Hodges sentenced Irvin to 22 concurrent five-year prison sentences for each count and awarded him 10 days credit for time served in jail pending resolution of the case.</p><p>Marion County sheriff's investigators arrested Irvin in April 2013 after a tip led them to lawfully search his computer. Authorities found 95 pornographic images sent from the defendant's company email address, of which several showed underage girls engaged in various sexual activity.</p><p><strong>Ocala motorcyclist remains in hospital</strong></p><p>An Ocala motorcyclist seriously injured in an accident over the weekend remains hospitalized from her injuries.</p><p>Lisa Kimberly Clarke, 51, was listed in critical condition, Ocala Regional Medical Center's Suzanne Santangelo said Tuesday.</p><p>On Sunday, Clarke was driving a Harley-Davidson Sportster east on U.S 27 as a Ford F-150, which was headed west on the highway, was making a left to go south on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, according to Ocala police.</p><p>Officers said the motorcycle struck the rear of the truck. Clarke was thrown from the bike. She was take to ORMC by ambulance in critical condition. Officials said she was wearing her helmet at the time of the crash.</p><p><strong>Man accused of speeding, DUI</strong></p><p>A man who witnesses said Monday was speeding and almost caused multiple accidents on U.S. 27 was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of cocaine and not having a valid driver's license.</p><p>The witnesses told a dispatcher that a red Chevy traveling in the 10000 block of U.S. 27 was going about 80 mph and nearly caused several accidents, including almost sideswiping their vehicle.</p><p>Marion County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jesse Terrell saw the Chevy driving erratically and stopped the car in the 5700 block of North U.S. 27. The driver, German Vazquez, 30, “reeked of alcohol,” Terrell's report noted.</p><p>Vazquez told the deputy he had consumed approximately six beers. He refused to perform a field sobriety exercise. During a search of Vazquez' person, the deputy found cocaine in his wallet.</p><p>Vazquez had an identification card from Mexico, but did not have a driver's license. Vazquez was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he registered .282, .305 and .293 on blood alcohol tests. The state's legal limit is .08.</p><p><strong>Man killed was on his way to church</strong></p><p>Florida Highway Patrol officials said Tuesday that a 91-year-old man who died Monday evening after he inadvertently drove into the path of a Marion County Sheriff's Office vehicle was headed to a church function.</p><p>James Barzey's wife on Tuesday told troopers her husband intended to drive across Southeast Maricamp Road, to go south on Pine Road, on his way to an event at church.</p><p>Troopers said Barzey pulled into the path of the unmarked MCSO sport utility vehicle and his 1993 Dodge Spirit was hit on the driver's side. The SUV, occupied by two deputies working undercover, crashed into a concrete telephone pole. The Dodge hit the driver's side of a 2004 Acura driven by Carlos Fuentes, 47. Fuentes, of Silver Springs Shores, was not injured.</p><p>The deputies were taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center where they were treated and released. Barzey was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he died.</p><p><strong>Police charge man with molestation</strong></p><p>An Ocala man was charged Tuesday with lewd and lascivious molestation.</p><p>The girl, now 14, was interviewed at Kimberly's Cottage for Child Protection late last month and told an official that Donald S. Horton had touched her inappropriately several times over two years, the last in December 2013.</p><p>On Friday, Ocala Police Department Detective Mat Steckman interviewed Horton, who said the girl would lie on his lap and he would rub her back and legs. He denied touching her otherwise.</p><p>On Tuesday, Steckman arrested Horton, 34, at the police department and he was taken to the Marion County Jail.</p><p><strong>Man accused of assault with stick</strong></p><p>A man who reportedly tried to enter a residence and threatened a man with a stick was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.</p><p>Ocala Police Department Officer Joseph Marcum stated in his report that he went to the 600 block of Southeast 24th Street and met with Scott Jason William, who said he was driving to a gas station around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday with a friend when he saw a man in a yard threatening a man with a large stick.</p><p>William said he heard people yelling for help so he drove into the front yard and saw the man — later identified as Gary Ray Higgins — trying to hit the other man with the stick.</p><p>William said Higgins was struck in the face by the man and was knocked on the ground. William said when he approached, Higgins tried to hit him with the stick. He said he placed Higgins in a headlock, disarmed him and he and his friend removed him from the yard.</p><p>The man who decked Higgins told the officer he saw a bicycle in the yard and when he went to the side of the house, Higgins was attempting to enter his mother's residence. He said he told Higgins to stop and that's when Higgins tried to hit him with the stick.</p><p>Higgins, who the officer said appeared intoxicated, claimed he was looking for a friend and was knocking on the door. He was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail. He told police he is homeless.</p><p> </p><p>COMMUNITY</p><p> </p><p><strong>Students' art on display at Appleton</strong></p><p>Students at four Marion County schools recently worked alongside artists with disabilities to create beautiful works of art that are on display at the Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.</p><p>The Appleton partnered with Very Special Arts Florida to bring the “Hand 'n Hand” program to Intellectually Disabled Gifted classes at Maplewood Elementary, Fort King Middle and Forest High. The voluntary pre-kindergarten class at Ward-Highlands Elementary had the opportunity to experience the VSA pre-literacy program “Start with the Arts.”</p><p>The Appleton Museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays, and it is closed Mondays. Daily admission is $6 for adults; $4 for seniors 55 or older and students 19 and older; $3 for youths ages 10-18; and free for members, CF students, children age 9 and younger, and active military personnel.</p><p>For more information, call 291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.</p><p><strong>Veterans meetings planned for week</strong></p><p><em>Wednesday</em></p><p><ul><li>DAV chapter 85, 1 p.m., 9892 SE 58th Ave., Belleview. (245-9080)</p><p>Vietnam Veterans of America Post 814, 7 p.m. Wednesday, USMC League, 2529 N. Magnolia Ave., Ocala.</li></ul></p><p><em>Thursday</em></p><p><ul><li>Charles A. Whiteacre Memorial VFW Post 10208 and Auxiliary, 7 p.m., 9 post hall, 23498 NE County Road 314, Salt Springs. (685-2707)</li></p><p><li>Eugene Quinn VFW Post 4337 and Auxiliary, 7:30 p.m., 906 E. State Road 44, Inverness. (344-3495)</li></p><p><li>Leroy Rooks Jr. VFW Post 4252 and Auxiliary, 7:30 p.m., post hall, 3190 N. Carl G. Rose Highway, Hernando. (726-3339)</li></p><p><li>Brady Owens VFW Post 7193, 6 p.m., Auxiliary 4:30 p.m., Mount Moriah Baptist Church Annex, 55 SW Third Ave. (629-4285)</li></p><p><li>DAV Chapter 70, 2 p.m. Gerald Shonk DAV, 1039 N. Paul Drive, Inverness.</li></p><p><li>Marine Corp League E.J. Mederios Sr. 950 Detachment, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 284, 515 SE 109th St., Belleview. (245-4911 or 347-1643)</li></p><p><li>Spruce Creek Golf and Country Club Veterans Association, 8 a.m., Spruce Creek Clubhouse. (245-6094)</li></p><p><li>Spruce Creek South Military Club, 7 p.m., Community Center. (245-6094)</li></ul></p><p><em>Saturday</em></p><p><ul><li>USSV Sea Dragon Base: 1 p.m., American Legion 347, 699 W. Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake. (251-8075 or 259-7117)</li></p><p><li>US Submarine Veterans, Nautilus Base, (854-6598)</li></ul></p><p><em>Monday</em></p><p><ul><li>The Ralph J. Green American Legion Post No. 354, 1 p.m., Sheriff's Brian Litz substation, 9408 SW State Road 200, Ocala. (322-5966)</li></p><p><li>Angela S. Santos VFW Post 4781, Men's Auxiliary general meeting, 6 p.m., 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala (873-4781)</li></p><p><li>American Legion Post 230, noon, 208 Ashley St., Hawthorne. (481-3266)</li></ul></p><p><em>Tuesday</em></p><p><ul><li>Angela S. Santos VFW Post 4781, general meeting, 6:30 p.m., 9401 SW 110th St., Ocala (873-4781)</li></p><p><li>WACVA Post 71, 1 p.m., 543 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala. (245-5480 or 347-1543)</li></ul></p><p><strong>Program to honor Vietnam veterans </strong></p><p>The Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park is planning a short program to acknowledge the 51st anniversary of the Vietnam War. March 30th will be recognized as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”</p><p>More than 58,000 service members, including more than 1,900 from Florida, made the ultimate sacrifice during this war. There are still 1,654 who remain missing in action. Those interested in participating can call 671-8422.</p>